There’s been a lot of discourse around whether SZA is a worthy Glastonbury headliner with people genuinely asking: ‘Who is SZA?’
If you didn’t know who she was before she headlined American Express presents BST Hyde Park on Saturday night, you certainly should after.
It was a show that perfectly represented every aspect of SZA; the parts of her that embody modern R&B like Summer Walker, the twerk-loving moves of Megan Thee Stallion and relationship angst like Taylor Swift. Just like a Pick n Mix, there was something for everyone.
OG fans of SZA may have worried how much she would honour her old hits, aka the songs that made her, considering how much her stardom blew up with her second album SOS, released in 2022. However, she gave her most vintage hits the right amount of breathing space, opening with Love Galore and treating us to classics like Broken Clocks and Garden early on.
It was a little disappointing that we didn’t get the full version of fan-favourite Supermodel, a standout from her 2017 debut album CTRL. Interspersing it with Special from SOS might have made sonic sense but for those of us who had longed to hear Supermodel live for years, cutting it off before the second verse felt like we’d been robbed of one of her best songs.
However, the rest of SZA’s Hyde Park set was virtually flawless – even if she endearingly missed a verse on one occasion.
For an artist with such a rich and delicate voice, her live vocals were truly something to be admired; always powerful yet vulnerable when needed. She didn’t need our help as backing singers but the beauty of SZA’s music is that every song has quotable lyrics and provides the perfect opportunity for a singalong. You just can’t help but join in whether she’s dancing with swords and plotting to kill her boyfriend or confessing to willingly sharing her boyfriend with other women.
There are certain artists whose music is best for listening to within the cosy confines of your home or a more intimate setting and, admittedly, I did worry how SZA’s songs would translate on such a big stage; particularly stripped-back tracks like Saturn, Snooze and Supermodel. Fortunately, my concerns couldn’t have been more wrong because while some of these songs may seem small, SZA’s mighty stage presence gave them all the power.
Considering the heart of SZA’s talent is her songwriting prowess and silky vocals, she incorporated choreography and nailed it when she could easily have just stood there and sang.
This is why the debate around her headline set at Glastonbury tonight is so frustrating. She’s proven herself to be more than a one-trick pony with plenty to offer outside of the songs – SZA knows how to put on a well-rounded show and her diverse audience is evidence of her versatility as an artist.
There’s no doubt that her performance at Worthy Farm will open her up to a new audience but, Snooze on SZA at Glastonbury tonight and you lose.
American Express presents BST Hyde Park is taking place until July 14 with performances from the likes of Robbie Williams, Shania Twain and Kylie Minogue.
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